Conservation & GIS Training
(Online sites with free and/or useful Conservation GIS tutorials and courses)
ECP Training Grants News:
The ESRI Conservation Program provides grants to ESRI training on a
space-available basis. We have just added a 50% off program whereby
a limited number students for whom space-available isn't a useful option
can take courses on a standard basis for half off. Please send a blank
email to ecpgrant@esri.com for more information.
The CyberInstitute Short-Course on Geographic Information Systems
(by David Hastings, World Data Center-A, NOAA National Geophysical Data
Center 303-497-6729 or dhastings@ngdc.noaa.gov) "Where to get
a boiled-down, top-to-bottom, study-at-my-own-pace short course in GIS?
Try this for starters!" Consists of a lot of links to other GIS
tutorials and free online training resources.
GIS Primer: An introduction to Geographic Information Systems
(by David Buckley, Innovative GIS Solutions) "The GIS Primer provides an
overview of issues and requirements for implementing and applying geographic
information systems technology. This primer focuses on practical issues
concerned with the responsible implementation and application of GIS
technology. The primer is directed for those with limited exposure to
GIS. It is intended purely as in introductory text with an emphasis
on identifying and clearly illustrating fundamental concepts in GIS
applications." Sections: The Nature of Geographic Information,
Fundamental GIS Concepts, Data Sources and Data Input Techniques, Data
Organization and Storage, Data Manipulation and Analysis, Sample Applications
and Examples, Implementation Strategies and Issues, Technology Developments
and Trends.
The
Earthlaw Clinic at the University of Denver College of Law
(University of Denver - Forbes House, 1714 Poplar Street, Denver, CO 80220.
Tel: 1-303-871-6996, Email: earthlaw@earthlaw.org)
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Cultural Landscapes.
(
Harvard University Institute for Cultural Landscape Studies:
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, 125 Arborway, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130-3500
Tel: 617-524-1718 ext. 175 (please leave a message), Fax: 617-524-1418,
Email: icls@arnarb.harvard.edu)
" an excellent introduction and tutorial on the issues of GIS planning
and implementation. Includes many useful and well-written sections such
as: -Why GIS? -What is GIS? -What determines whether a GIS project succeeds
or fails? -What should nonspecialists bear in mind when helping to plan
a GIS, or when using GIS analyses and maps? -What special challenges
does the management and interpretation of cultural landscapes pose for
GIS? " Don't Miss: Factors
for Success with GIS by Susan Bernstein: "In a meeting at the
Arnold Arboretum in the summer of 1998, which was organized to discuss
the role of GIS in cultural landscape management, one practitioner summed
up "the take-home message" as: What is the
purpose of an organization's GIS? What functions will
a GIS serve, for whom, how do you perform these functions now, and at
what cost? The balance and timing of costs and benefits for GIS depend
on the answers to these initial questions. As for almost any other information
technology, the largest cost for GIS is staff time. As a result, the
most rewarding investments are made up front, in careful analysis of
needs and resources."
Finding Your Way with Map and Compass.
Basic USGS introduction to maps and field navigation.
IGC's EcoJustice Networking Project's Training Series for Environmental Justice Activists
(Training Contact: Alair MacLean, (415) 561-6100, ext. 127.)
Sections/tutorials include:
- The Basics: How to use the Internet to involve people in your organization
and campaigns. "The workshop will cover basic email, conferencing,
use of autoreply mailers and mailing lists."
-Research: Using the Internet to research your opposition and your issues.
"You will leave this workshop with the basic materials for a fact-sheet."
-Spreading the word: publishing on the Internet. "The workshop
will cover publishing on conferences, and the basics of web programming
You will leave this workshop having created a simple Web page."
-Advanced Research -- Databases. "The workshop will cover the use
of government databases as well as the Right-to-Know Computer Network
(RTK NET)"
BIODIVERSITY and CONSERVATION A Hypertext Book.(by Peter J. Bryant (pjbryant@uci.edu),
School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine,
CA 92697, USA. Phone: (949) 824-4714, Fax: (949) 824-3571) "The origin,
nature and value of biological diversity, the threats to its continued
existence, and approaches to preserving what is left This is a hypertext
book, but most of the links leave the book in order to take advantage
of documents produced and updated elsewhere. You can always get back
to your starting place by using the 'Back' button or the 'History' file
on your browser."
GIS Analysis with ArcInfo by Shane Murnion, Queen's University Belfast
Offered free by Shane Murnion (sdm@sfc.keio.ac.jp) "Here
you will find a simple tutorial on using the ArcInfo GIS. You can browse
it as lesson or download the files and work through the analysis in
ArcInfo yourself"
"The Geographers Craft" (Department of Geography, University of
Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712-1098, Phone: (512) 471-5116, FAX:
(512) 471-5049. Main Office: Geography Building, GRG 334, Campus Mail
Code A3100. Principal Investigator: Dr. Kenneth E. Foote at k.foote@mail.utexas.edu.)
This is "a teaching initiative being pursued in the Department
of Geography at The University of Texas at Austin to improve the teaching
of geographical techniques at the introductory level. The two-semester
course is experimenting with active-learning, problem-solving methods
of instruction and hypermedia, Internet-based course materials. The
goal is to promote analytical reasoning and critical thinking by having
students address research problems with 'appropriate' geographical concepts
and techniques, whether drawn from cartography, geographic information
systems, remote sensing, spatial statistics, or other information technologies.
As possible, all materials for The Geographer's Craft project are being
made available on-line through the Internet. You are welcome to
use and copy these materials for education, but please credit the source
as: The Geographer's Craft, Department of Geography, University of Texas
at Austin and cite the individual author of the modules you use."
Map Interpretation: Online Tutorial. (Hosted by San Francisco Estuary
Institute) "This guide to the interpretation and use of maps is
adapted from the Sonoma State University Department of Geography course
supplement, Map Interpretation, written by Bryan Baker in 1993. The
guide is currently being used in the SSU class, Map, Air Photo, and
Satellite Interpretation." Lots of good graphics, Covers numerous
topics including -Map Scales, -Measurement Scales, -Accuracy, Precision,
and Significant Digits, -Classification, Simplification and Symbolization
of Data, -Projections and Survey Systems, -Topographic Map Interpretation.
The Remote Sensing Core Curriculum (RSCC), (University of Maryland Baltimore
County, 1000 Hilltop Circle Baltimore, MD 21250. General phone: 410.455.1000
General email: help@umbc.edu), "A NASA sponsored program chartered
to develop and support educational materials for the advancing technologies
of remote sensing and the integration with spatial information systems.
The program is creating a series of lecture outlines on the topics of
remote sensing, accompanied by self-contained laboratory exercises and
examples using digital data sets from existing sensor platforms and
planned satellite missions. These materials are formatted to facilitate
use of these materials and datasets via the Internet and CD-ROM with
emphasis on PC and Mac Intosh computing platforms. RSCC design is directed
to ensure full access of datasets, operating software, and lecture materials
for low-end campus facilities. Lectures are developed in cooperation
with international experts and businesses whose experience ensures the
most authoritative and substantive curriculum foundation. The lecture
series will initially be organized under four volumes: 1. Airphoto /
Photogrammetry, 2. Overview of Remote Sensing of the Environment, 3.
Introductory Digital Image Processing, 4. Remote Sensing Applications."
Don't miss: Satellite
Imagery Available Through the Internet.
Smithsonian Institution, Conservation and Research Center, Front Royal, VA c95.
(1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA 22630 GIS Lab tel:540-635-6543
FAX:540-635-6506 Courses: Chris Larson (larsonc@crc.si.edu))
"The Smithsonian Institution's Conservation and Research Center (CRC)
is one of the world's leading centers for conservation research
and training.
Located on 3,200 acres of forest and meadow in the Blue Ridge Mountains
of northern Virginia, CRC serves as the hub for a broad array of
regional, national, and international Smithsonian conservation programs.
Spatial
Analysis Lab: CRC combines spatial analysis techniques with
intensive ecological field studies to solve conservation problems.
Projects: Casco
Bay Estuary Project, Allegheny Mountain Project, Little Mountain
Project, Golden-cheeked Warbler Wintering Habitat in Honduras, Migrant
bird densities in Belize, Mexican Wintering Habitats of Nearctic
migrants, Wood Thrushes at Quantico Marine Base,. Kentucky Warbler
Territory Distribution, Intra-tropical Migration, Malaysian Elephant
Satellite Tracking Project, Biodiversity of Guyana Honduras, Forest
Change Detection, Chatthin Reserve of Burma Mapping Project.
Intro
to GIS & Remote Sensing in Conservation and Wildlife Management:
course for wildlife managers that will provide hands-on experience
for the collection of data, GIS analysis of the data, and map making.
US Fish
& Wildlife Service National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown
WV e97. (USFWS, NCTC Route 1, Box 166 Shepherds Grade Road Shepherdstown,
WV 25443 Registrar Tel: 304/876-7200 fax:304/876-7202 email; mailto:nctc_registrar@fws.gov)
"The USFWS National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) is a leader
in providing training and education services to the natural resource
management community to better accomplish our common goal of conserving
fish, wildlife, and their habitat....Computer and Statistical
Courses: Biostatistics, Sample Design for Aquatic Field Studies
(Experimental Design), Introduction to Desktop GIS For Field Biologists,
National FWS Geographic Information Systems Workshop, Introduction to
GPS For Field Biologists, Vegetative Cover Mapping For GIS Developers,
Computer Applications In Fish & Wildlife Management, Computer Support
for Field Stations--basic, Computer Support for Field Stations--advanced,
Data and Systems Development, Introduction to Internet for Field Stations...Learn
how to apply the Gap Analysis/The Nature Conservancy vegetative cover
classification system to your field site. The course includes
both field and computer lab exercises which show you how to interpret
the cover classifications according to the vegetation found on-site
and how to generate GIS data layers accordingly. See also:
GIS Introduction For Conservation Professionals.
GIS Design for Regional Conservation Planning.
GIS Design for Refuge Management.
GIS Vegetative Cover Mapping.
Introduction to Conservation Biology.
UNESCO Remote-sensing training course in coastal research and management.
(By Dr. R. Sudarshana Indian Institute of Remote Sensing 4, Kalidas
Road P.O. Box 135 Dehra Dun 248001 India Fax.: (91) 135 65 11 08/65
09 44/65 19 87, and by Dr. A. Meshal UNESCO Doha Office P. O. Box 3945
Doha Qatar Fax.: (974) 86 76 44 email - mailto:a.meshal@unesco.org.
Course Contact: UNESCO Coastal Regions & Small Islands Unit 1, rue Miollis
Paris 75732 Cedex 15 France Fax: (33) 1 45 68 58 08 email - mailto:csi@unesco.org),
"A training course on the use of remote sensing techniques in coastal
research and management was held at the Faculty of Marine Science, King
Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 21-26 December 1996. Following
are details on the course; Assessment of the remote-sensing needs of
the Gulf States, Background to the training course, Syllabus, Organization
of the course."
USGS
'What is a GIS' Article.(U.S. Geological Survey, 804 National Center,
Reston, VA 20192, USA email: mailto:esicmail@usgs.gov. URL
http://www.usgs.gov/research/gis/title.html)
"Geographic information systems (GIS) technology can be used for
scientific investigations, resource management, and development planning.
" includes: Relating information from different sources, Data capture,
Data integration, Projection and registration, Data structures, Data
modeling, Information retrieval, Topological modeling, Networks Overlay,
Data output, GIS through history, Using GIS, Mapmaking, Site selection,
Emergency response planning, Simulating environmental effects, Graphic
display techniques, The future of GIS.
What's GIS?
by Ray Wills (Email: rwills@sunny.gis.uwa.edu.au Ph: +61 9
480 3640 Fx: +61 9 480 3641 Snail: Kings Park & Botanic Garden,
West Perth WA 6005, Australia.). "Want to know what a Geographic
Information System (GIS) is? Or maybe more about related technologies?
Try a few of these links to build up your own picture! Visit another
of my pages to see how GIS
can be used for conservation by modeling plant disease in ecosystems. (With
ArcInfo and ArcView.)"
ArcView Tutorial.
Geographic Information Center (GIC) at Sonoma State University.
(1801 E. Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA 94928 USA Tel: 707-664-2194, Fax: 707-664-3920,
Contact: Dr. Bryan Baker, Associate Professor of Geography & Director
of the GIC, mailto:bryan.baker@sonoma.edu) "This course introduces
you to tools and techniques for today's geographic work and research.
The course prepares you for more advanced courses in geographic techniques.
By the end of this course, you will be able to: identify appropriate
maps and imagery for specific geographic tasks, interpret the symbology
and content of maps, manipulate geographic software and databases, especially
geographic information systems (GIS), generate computerized maps for
specific tasks, describe how to obtain additional information and training
in appropriate technology for geographic tasks " Includes good
tutorial exercises in the following areas: Introducing ArcView, Projections,
scale and measurement on maps, Topographic map interpretation, Navigation
and global positioning systems (GPS), Databases and data formats for
GIS, GIS analysis, Remote sensing - aerial photography and satellite
imagery.
Non-Profit Communications, outreach and media tutorials: Offered free by:
The Biodiversity Project
(214 N. Henry Street, Suite 203 Madison, WI, 53703 tel: (608) 250-9876
Fax: (608) 257-3513, Project Director, Jane Elder, Email: jelder@cgbd.org).
Lessons include: Crafting Effective Messages, Communicating about
Biodiversity, Public Opinion Research Firms, Media, PR and Advertising
Firms, Grantmakers Interested in Biodiversity Outreach.
Non-profit technology resource tutorials: Offered free by Compumentor
(89 Stillman Street San Francisco, CA 94107 (415)512-7784 email: Info@compumentor.org)
Lessons include Systems Management, Hiring a Consultant, Planning
Databases, Networking Concepts, Managing Volunteers and Planning a Website.
Very useful set of
GIS & DEM tutorials:
GENERATING CONTOUR LINES FROM 7.5 MIN DEM FILES, by R. Douglas Ramsey.
IMPORTING USGS 3-ARC SECOND DTED INTO AN ARC LATTICE, by R. Douglas Ramsey
Course: Introduction to GIS using ArcInfo
Offered by: Prof. Yosef Cohen, University of Minnesota
Course: Conservation GIS using ArcView
Offered by: ESRI Virtual Campus
Authored by
Conservation GIS Consortium/Ecotrust/Pacific Biodiversity Institute
Overview
Author: Conservation GIS Consortium
This course of six modules uses actual applications and
conservation data to teach ArcView GIS and solve common conservation
problems. You will study the distribution of grizzly bears in the Northern
Rockies, use satellite and other types of image data, conduct a watershed
analysis in Western Washington, examine potential environmental impacts
of a proposed timber sale in Eastern Washington, and examine potential
mineral development in protected areas of British Columbia.
Modules
Goals
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Map the distribution of wildlife
- Analyze land use trends over time
- Analyze spatial relationships between wildlife and land use
- Map mining activities over a region
- Analyze spatial relationships between mines and protected areas
- Analyze a watershed, including road density, proximity of roads to streams, and susceptibility of roads to erosion
- Analyze threats to stream health and water quality in a watershed
- Analyze canopy cover, stream gradient, and geology in relation to fish habitat
- Analyze land ownership patterns and conservation efforts
- Assess the quality of GIS data used to plan a timber sale using images, field data, and photographs
- Analyze timber sale units in relation to steep slopes, streams, sensitive plant species, and old growth stands
Audience
This course is designed for people who have had a basic introduction to ArcView GIS
and want to learn how to use ArcView GIS to analyze conservation data.
Prerequisites and Recommendations
Before taking this module, you should be familiar with basic ArcView
GIS operations and concepts, such as:
- opening an ArcView project
- the project window
- basic ArcView documents (views, tables, charts, layouts)
- ArcView themes
- zooming and panning
- selecting features
- identifying features
- opening a theme table
- adding a theme
- using the Legend Editor to change symbols
Software
Web browser - Internet Explorer 3.0 or later OR Netscape 3.0 or later
ESRI software - ArcView GIS 3.0 or later
Students who register for the entire Conservation GIS
using ArcView GIS course can download a copy of ArcView GIS Virtual
Campus Edition for free!
Length
This course includes approximately 18 hours of online instruction, though
actual hours may vary by student. Once enrolled, you may access this
module indefinitely.
Data
To complete the lessons and exercises within this course you need to
download Conservation GIS using ArcView GIS data which is provided
at the beginning of each exercise.
Exam and Certification
A Certificate is awarded at the end of each module. To receive a certificate
of completion, you must pass the module exam with a score of 75 percent
or higher. You may take the exam as many times as you like, but different
questions are presented each time.
In addition, you receive a special course certificate
when you complete the entire six module Conservation GIS using ArcView
GIS course.
Scholarly papers and ESRI Conference Proceedings
(Legend: ESRI User Conference Papers list the title, then
in parentheses "paper" or "abstract" plus the year.
Other web-located papers list title, author if known, and excerpt.)
GIS Design for Regional Conservation Planning/Course Outline
(William L. Allen, The Conservation Fund, PO Box 271, Chapel Hill, NC 27514,
Telephone: 919-967-2223 Fax: 919-967-9702 E-mail: allentcf@aol.com,
Cheryl Crupi ). The Conservation Fund has been asked by the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service's National Education and Training Center (NETC)
to help develop a land and water conservation curriculum for the training,
education, and leadership development of conservation professionals
in the nonprofit, government, and corporate sectors. The Conservation
Fund's GIS Program, Conservation GIS Solutions, has been asked to coordinate
the development of courses aimed at applying cutting-edge conservation
tools such as geographic information systems. Conservation GIS Solutions
is developing an outline for a course on designing regional conservation
planning projects using GIS as a tool to facilitate land use decision
making. The course will address issues related to conservation GIS development
(e.g., articulation of management objectives, user needs assessment,
and GIS partnership development) as well as those related to GIS project
design (project planning, data acquisition, development, and documentation,
and project implementation). The course will also include case studies
of successful conservation GIS projects that have utilized GIS as a
decision making tool. The Conservation Fund hopes that this course will
help conservation professionals from the nonprofit, government, and
corporate sectors develop partnerships to design successful regional
conservation planning projects using GIS as a decision support tool.
After feedback from the USFWS and other government agencies, ESRI user
conference attendees, corporate GIS users, and Land Trust Alliance members,
we hope to offer the inaugural course at the NETC in late 1997.
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